Electric liquid heater



March 24, 1931. E. R. CASE ELECTRIC LIQUID HEATER Filed March 7,

1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Marah 24, 1931. E. R. CASE ELECTRIC LIQUID HEATER Filed March '7, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 24, 1931. CASE 1,797,520

ELECTR I C LIQUID HEATER Filed March 7, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 24, 1931. E; R. CASE ELECTRIC LIQUID HEATER Filed March 7, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ill/ch 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 E. R. CASE II I; 0

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March 24, 1931.

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March 24, 1931. R. CASE ELECTRIC LIQUID HEATER Filed March 7, 1927 March' 24, 1931. E. R. CASE 1,797,520

ELECTRIC LIQUID HEATER Filed March 7, 1927 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Mar. 24, 1931 EGERTON RYERSON CASE, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA ELECTRIC LIQUID HEATER Application filed March 7, 1927. Serial No. 173,443.

My invention relates to improvements in electric liquid heaters, and the objects of my invention are: firstly. to produce a portable or stationary electric liquid heater having an inlet and an outlet, and which can be readily uncoveredto permit the removal therefrom of an unfettered base or support, and without the necessity of uncoupling any of the permanent electrical and. liquid pipe-connections, thus making the device ideal for do mestic use, since it requires practically no servicing; secondly, to associate the resistor or heating element in a preferred manner with the base or support; thirdly. to provide anelectric liquid heater that canbe supplied with current from the ordinary base or wall outlet, thus dispensing with the necessity of any special electrical installation therefor; fourthly, when the base orsupport is made in sections which are relatively axially movable, to removably tie thesame together so that the base and the resistor carried thereby may constitute a unit repairable in any of its parts, and fifthly, to maintain an electrically highly-heated relatively-confined volumecoustant body of fluid through which to pass a stream of confined liquid of a lower temperature in order to hasten rise in temperature thereof, and in the following specification and the drawings forming part thereof, I shall describe and illustrate several species within my invention, and whatI claim as new ill be set forth in the claims forming part of t specification.

. l f a vertical central section. through the preferred form of heater. Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross section on the line 22, Fig.

l. and Fig. 2-} is a horizontal cross section on the line 3 3.'Fig. 1. Figs. 4, 5, 10, 12,

13 and 21 are vertical central sections through alternative forms of the heater. Fig. 6 is a horizontal. cross section on the line 66,

Fig. 5. F lg. 7a is a sectional detail showing how the metal casing for the heating element 7 may be packed where it passes through the cap of the base shown in Figs. 4. 5 and 7. 7b is a planview of the cap of the base shown in Fig. 7 showing how the metal cas ing for the heating element comes through said cap. 8 a horizontal cross section on the line 8-8, Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a horizontal cross section on the line 99, F ig. 7. 10a, is a plan view of the cap of the base shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 11 is a horizontal cross section on the line 1l11, Fig. 10. Fig. 14- is a central. longitudinal section through the support shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 15 is aplan view of F M with the terminals removed. Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the support shown in Fig. 14, and Fig. 17 is a plan view of one of the sections of said support. Fig. 18 is a side elevation of a modified form of the support shown in Fig. 16, and wherein the support is integrally formed. Fig. 19 is a side elevation of one of the sections of the support shown vertically centrally in section in Fig. 7, and Fig. 20 is a vertical central section through a modified form of the topmost section of the support shown in Fig. 1.

In the drawings, like characters of reference refer to the same parts.

Broadly considered, the invention preforably comprises an outer casing having an inlet and an outlet; an unfettered base or support therewithin through which the liquid to be heated flows, and a resistor or heating element associated therewith: means at the up per end of said base or support, and having no 3 connection with said outer casing, extending immediately over a central liquid passageway in said base or support and preferably relatively separable in respect thereto without having to dismantle the heater, and devoid of any liquid passage therethrough, and. for the purpose of preventing any liquid flowing out of the upper end of said passageway longitu dinally thereof, thus avoiding the use of a liquid chamber above said base or support, and necessary pipe connections therefor, and a projecting post at the upper end of said base or support directly or indirectly coupled thereto and preferably positioned laterally of the central passageway therein, which post carries the binding posts to which both ends of the said resistor or heating element are coupled.

The invention further consists in the combination of parts hereinafter particularly defor greater efliciency, as is self-evident; and

this I am able to'do withoutpassingany pipe connections for the liquid through the cover or cap of the heater, nor through the means which extends over the upper or outer end of the longitudinal passageway through said base. The advantage I obtain from the ab-.

sence of any pipes or conduits through'the parts referred to, is that Iran readily remove the base or support when necessary, since I dispensewith the use of a liquid chamber at the extreme upper or outer ends of the'heater. It is self-evident that I provide a very compact construction and one that can be manufactured at reasonable cost.

The heating element or resistor may be of any well-known type. here it is intended that it be directly immersed in water, it should be made from non-rusting material such, for-example, as sicro which may be of approximately the following analysis: iron 75%; chromium 20%.; silicon 2%; cobalt 2%; and carbon 3%, withsmall proportions of manganese and impurities, such as sulfur etc.

The heating .element may also be of the type known in the art as sheathed wire. This type of heating element may be briefly stated as consisting of a res'istancecore surrounded by ametallic envelope or sheath, with an intervening. layer of powdered material, such asmagnesia, whichis a goodelectrical insulator, but a good conductorof heat.

Fuller particulars regarding. the sheathed wire, may be had upon reference to Patent #1,107,233, which was issued to Chester N. Moore, August the 11th, 1914:.

The preferred form of construction is illustrated in Fig. 1. The base or support 2 is preferably made in sections so that in case of breakage, any section may be readily replaced. The base is of course made of porcelain or any; suitable insulating material. Each sec tion is provided with a fiange3 which fits within a socket formed by an embracing a flange 1 of the opposing section. Said sections are tubular in form, and tlie's'ame are held'together by a tubular, preferably metal, member 5 which passes centrally throug'lisaid base. This tubular member 5" projects beyond both ends of the said base, and attached to thelowerend thereof is'ian'exteriorly positioned' ring 6 which is partly located in a socket formed in the lowermost section oft'li'e base .2a's shown c'learly'inFigs; 1. and 14. A

' flanged" member '7 is'lliade of" the same mate'- rial composing the base 2 and is mounted on the tubular member 5 since it has a central passage-way therethrough, and it rests in contact with the topmost section of the base 2. This flanged member 7 is provided with a flange 8 which embraces the flange 3 of the topmost section of said base 2. The flange 8 is used so that when the base 2 is removed any section thereof may be positioned in contact witlrthe flanged member 7. Removably carried by the upper end of the tubular member 5 which projects above the flanged member 7, is a nut 9. The function of the nut 9 in cooperation with the member 5 and ring 6 is to hold the sections of the base 2 iuco-operative relationship.

The sections of the base 2 are each provided with a plurality of spaced bars or ribs 10 extendin longitudinally thereof, so that the resistor or heating element 11 may be laced longitudinally on said base, as will be understood upon referring. to the arrows in Fig. 16. The upper ends of the ribs 10 forming part ofthe topmost sectionof the base 2 are spaced apart from the flanged member 7 so that the resistor 11 may be located between the said ends and the said flanged member. Thelower' ends of the ribs 10 of the lowermost section of the base 2 do not eXtend'to the lower end ofv the flange 4 of saidlowermost section. and therefore portions ofthe resistor or heat ing element11- passing underneath'the lower ends of the ribs of said lowermost seetionwill rest in contact with said flange.

In-order to tie the heating element or resistor 11 to the base 2 intermediate its end sections, after the resistor has been lac-edon the base, any of the intermediate sections of said base can be turned suiiiciently so as to move the ribs or bars 10 thereof out of align ment with the ribs or bars of the other sections, so as to pinch portions of the resistor 11 between the ends of said bars or ribs. After this-tying of the heating element or resistor 11 has been effected, the nut 9 can be tightened up and so holdthe various sections of the base 2 in desired relative relationship. The ends of each rib or bar 10 are undercut asshownat 12 (Figs. 1 and 14), and the eX- tremity 13 of each rib or bar projecting beyond the undercut portionthereofwill come in contact withthe resistor and act as a clamp to, in efi'ect, tie the same to the base 2 as be-.

forementioned.

Integrally formed'with the'flanged member- 7 is a post 16 which preferably, though not essentially, projects above said flanged member 17 This post is provided with two passageways 15, one only of which is shown in F igs; land I l, andthrough these passagewaysispassed the ends of theresistor' 11 (see Fig. 1') which ends are secured to the binding postsl'G (onlyone'of which is shown), which are c'a tried" by the post '14.

In Fig.18, the base .is made in one piece, and provided with the flanged member 7 and nut 9 and tubular member 5, as well as the post 14.. The form of base shown in Figs. 1 1- and 16 particularly, since the ribs or bars 10 of each section are spaced apart, permits selective paths between any given pairs of bars or ribs 10 to be utilized in order to locate the resistor or heating element 11 on preferred parts 01? the base. This method of associating the resistor or heating element with a base is fully disclosed in my co-pending patent application No. 51,302, supports for electric resistance elements.

17 (see Fig. 1) is a plate which forms the top of the liquid chamber 18 at the bottom of the heater. This plate is centrally apertured as shown at 19, and threaded in this aperture is atubular member 20, the upper end of which is closed by a cap 21 integrally formed therewith or as shown. The heating unit in Figs. 14 and 16 is positioned for use as shown in Fig. 1, by passing it over the tubular member 20, which tubularmember is received by the tubular member 5. The said heating unit rests upon the plate 17 through the medium of its ring 6.

Located within the tubular member 20 is a conduit 22 which is formed of a pipe bent back upon itself, and having its discharge end 23 preferably located at the bottom of the tubular member 20 and discharging into the liquid chamber 18. This conduit is carried by pipe couplings 24, portions of which project through the liquid chamber 18, and also through the outer casing 25 of the liquid heater. As shown in 1, the pipe couplings 24 are detachably coupled to pipe couplings 26 which are carried by any suitable liquid tank 27.

The base 2, which comprises the heating unit, is surrounded by a liquid chamber composed of inner and outer walls 28 and 29, spaced apart to permit liquid to flow therebetween. The lower ends of the walls 28 and 29 are attached to the plate 17 as shown at 30 and 31, (as by brazing to make liquid tight joints) in such position that the passageways 32 formed in the plate 17 will conduct liquid into said liquid chamber between the walls thereof. The upper ends of the walls 28 and are suitably secured together to make a liquid tight joint, though of course it must be understood that said walls 28 and 29 may be integrally formed, thus avoiding the necessity of joining them together at their upper ends.

Licuid enters the heater through pipe couplii 1's beforementioned and then passes up and down through conduit 22 and into the liquid chamber 18, whence itpasses through the passageways 32 into the liquid chamber formed by the walls 28 and 29, and then out of the heater through thepipe couplings 33,

opening through the wall 29, to the liquid tank 27. Y

From what I have just described it is clean ly seen that I utilize simultaneously heat interiorly and enteriorly of the heating unit already described.

The outer casing 25 is spaced apart from the outer wall 29 of the liquid chamber surrounding the heating unit, and the space between these parts is filled with any suitable heatretaining material, such as asbestos or mineral wool, or powdered soap stone.

The outer casing 25 extends above the top of the liquid chamber surrounding the heating unit so that a cap or cover 3% may be removably attached thereto. This cap or cover may be made in any suitable way so as to retain as much heat as possible within the heater.

The portion of the casing 25 projecting above or beyond the heating unit is slotted as shown at so as to permit the binding posts 16 to project laterally of the heater.

By removing the cap or cover 23 access is had to the heating unit, and the same may be withdrawn from the heater for any purpose.

Since the tubular member 20 has threaded connection with the plate 17, this tubular member may be removed, and thus permit access to the liquid passages in the heater for cleansing purposes.

As shown clearly in Fig. 3 the conduit 22 does not iill the tubular member 20, and therefore liquid will enter this tubular member and surround the conduit 22. l/Vhen the liquid flowing indicated enters the conduit 22 it is at its lowest temperature, and by the time it passes into the liquid chai'nher 18 its temperature willhave been considerably raised so that by the time it flows out of the heater through the pipe couplings 33, its temperature will be very high.

Since the liquid entering the tubular menr ber 20 and surrounding the conduit 22 must pass out of said tubular member 20 through the opening through which it entered there into, the conduit 22 will be surrounded constantly by a highly heated body of liquid, which may sometimes be changed into steam.

In the species shown in Fig. 92, the base or support is shown as made o'i" lnetal though it may be oi made of porcebiin or similar material, and it is shaped like an iii-- verted cone with the top removed. The lower end of this base or support rests upon a plate 17 and within a flange 37 carried by said plate. 38 is a liquid chamber having its lower end secured to the plate 17 so as to form a liquid tight joint. The upper end of this liquid chamber is reinforced by a ring 39, and it is covered by a cap 40 which is preferably provided with a flange ll which embraces said ring 39. The upper end of the base or support 36 is preferably thickened as shown at 42 so as to permit screws 43 to be received thereby, which screws couple the cap 40 to the said base or support.

Through the pipe couplings 24 liquid enters into a conduit 44 which is threaded through the plate 17. Liquid from this conduit passes into a coiled conduit 45 positioned within the-said base or support 36 and passes thereoutof through the outlet 46 into the interiorof said base or'support 36. Liquid passes from said base or support at its lower end through openings47 formed in the plate 17 and into the liquidchamber 18 and thence through the passages-32 formed in said plate 17" into the liquid chamber 38;. When the heater isfull of liquid, this liquid can pass from the top of the base or support 36 only through the openings 48. The heated liquid escapes throughthe pipe 33 which is mounted in the wall of the liquid chamber 38'.

25 is the outer'casing. of this form of heater, and the same is spaced apart from the liquid clia-mber38 and insulated therefrom as before described. This form of the heater is also provided with a removable cap or cover 34 which is also slotted to accommodate the binding. posts 16.

Integrallyformed with the base or sup port 36 are spaced short ribs or lugs 49, which are located near the-lower and upper ends of said base or support. The heating element or resistor disclosed in this type of heater is known in the art as sheathed wire, before referredto, and it is laced on the base or support 36 asbefore described using the ribs or lugs 49 for this purpose.

The liquid of course comes directly in contact with the casing for the resistor in this type of heater, and therefore I am enabled to dispense with the inner wall 28 of the liquid chamber shown in l.

The cap 40 is providedwith a post 14, and the ends of the resistor are coupled tothe binding posts carriedby this post.

In this'form of my heater as wellas in the form disclosed-inFigs. .5 and'flwhere the liquid comes directly in' contact with the heating element, or with the sheathing enclosing the same, a: liquid tight packing must be provided in the cap for the sheathing. A suitable liquid tight packing for the type .of heating element or resistor a shown in section in Fig. 7a. A; chambeied nut b is re ceived by the cap 40,- and throughv this nut passesone end of the heating element 0 is a glandnut through which the end-of the resistor passes: This gland nut screws within the'nut' 7) and tightly compresses the packing al around the casing of the resistor a and effectually prevents leakage.

Theconduit'45' rests within the'base or support 36, and its upper end 6 is received by a socket informed in the upper end oftheconduit '44. When the-cover 34 is removed,-the baseor support 3 6'can bere1noved from the heater, and" si'n'cc" the upper end 0 of the conduit 45 is removably held in the; socket h ofthe conduit 44, the conduit 45 will be withdrawn from the heater at the same time as the base or support 36. By removing the screws 43 and disconnecting the ends of the resistor or heatingelement a from the binding posts 16, andretracting the gland'nut c, the cap 40 may be removed from the base or support 36.

Intel-posed between the cap 40 and the upper end of the liquid chamber 38, and the ring 39, is any suitable packingv to form a liquid tight joint, as will be understood.

The heating element or resistor a may be tied or clamped to the base or support 36 in any suitable manner. A convenient means for-this purpose isin the form of splitrings 50 positioned to embrace the said heating ele ment mounted oirsaid base or support. The lowermost of these ringsmay be supported by the lowermost ribs or lugs 49, and the uppermost one of said rings may be supported by lugs 52 forming'part of said base or support 36.

In'Fig. 5 the base or support 36 is providedwith' central passageways 53-and 54 at its lower and upper ends, and intermediate these passageways are formed passageways 55 in the walls of this base orsupport. This construction permits liquid to how longitudi nally and laterally throughout said base or b support, and come directly in contact with the heating element or resistor a, which may be of the character'described in respect of Fig. 4.

The lower end of the base or support 36 is received by theplate 1 7", and in theupper end of this base or support is formedpassageways 48 to permit fluid tofreel-y flow'latcrally out of the upper end ofthis support.

38 is a liquid chamber containingthe'base or support 36, and the same is secured by a liquid. tight. joint to the plate 1:7". 18 is the liquid chamber at the bottom of the heater into which the liquid primarily flows, and it passes thencethrough the passages 32 formed in the plate 17 into the interior of the liquid chamber 38.

The resistor ain this species ofmy inven tion is associated'with the base or support 36 after the manner disclosed'in Fig. 4', and is retained thereon by the split rings 50 which are very clearly shown in Fig. 6'.

In the form shown in Fig. 7 the base or support 2 is made in sections. Each secion-is provided at its upper end'with an external flange 3 which is internallythreaded to receive an externally threaded flange 4- of the opposing sections: from the construction just described the said sections are united, and thus I do away with the tubular 1 member 5 shown in the preferred. form.

The base or support 2 is of course provided' with a centralpassageway there'- through, and the heating. element" or. resistor a is in the form shown in connection with Figs. 4 and 5. The heating element or resistor a is disposed longitudinally of the base or support 2, and the ribs or lugs 49 are provided for the purpose set forth in connection with Figs. 4 and 5. The use of these ribs or lugs 49 is shown clearly in Fig. 19.

A plurality of split rings 50 are also used in connection with this form.

The base or support 2 rests upon a plate 17 which forms the top of the liquid chamber 18, and this plate is apertured to permit liquid to flow from said liquid chamber into the interior of the liquid chamber 38 which is carried by the plate 17" and brazed or otherwise secured thereto to form a liquid tight oint.

The cap 40 which covers the passageway in. the base or support 2 is integrally formed with the topmost section of this base or support, and is constructed to permit the resistor or heating element to be held therein. It

also provided with a post 14.

The liquid to be heated enters into pipe couplings 24, and into a pipe or conduit 22 which is in the same form as that illustrated in Fig. 1.

In Figs. 10. 12 and 13 the heating element or resistor 66' is in a form similar to the heating element or resistor a, and the same is disposed longituoinally of the bases or supports 2" and located interiorly thereof at the time of manufacture of said bases or supports, since the same is made of metal. In each of the species disclosed in the said figures the caps 40 are removably coupled to their respective bases or supports, as by means of screws 43.

The caps 40 are made of metal and are provided with passages 58 therethrough (see Fig. 10a) through which the ends of the resistor are passed.

Each of these species is also provided with a removable cap or cover 34 so as to permit the base or support to be removed from the heater.

In Figs. 10 and 13 I show the base or support 2 as mounted within a liquid chamber 38, and the cap 40 of each of this species has threaded connection with the upper end or its associated liquid chamber. It will be noticed upon referring to F 13 that the liquid chamber 08 is secured to the bottom 59 of the casing 25. The base or support shown in Fig. 12 rests directly upon the bottom of the casing 25, as is the case in the species shown in Fig. 13, and therefore I am enabled to dispense with the liquid chamber 18.

In the species shown in Figs. and 10, the liquid enters directly into the bases or supports shown therein through the central passages 19. In Figs. and 13 liquid escapes laterally from the upper end of the bases or supports 2 through passages 48.

In Fig. 13 liquid enters into the base or support shown therein at the bottom through a passage 60.

In the species shown in Fig. 12, the liquid circulates interiorly only of the base or support, and finds ingress and egress through the pipes 24 and 33 tapped into the Wall of said base or support and in such location as not to interfere with the heating element or resistor.

One side of the casing in the species shown in Fig. 12, is provided with a longitudinal slot 61 for the major portion if lts length, and when the parts of the heater are assembled, an arcuate plate 62 is positioned over said slot and held in place by screws 63 and 64 to the bottom of the casing 25, and to the cap 34, respectively. hen it is desired to remove the base or support in this species, the screw 64 is removed thus permitting the removal of the cap 34, and then the screw 63 is removed, thus permitting the removal cf the plate 62. The heat retaining material within the casing 25 available through the slot 61, may be scraped away, then the pipes 24 and 33 will be removed together with said base or support. Obviously the said pipes will enter the slot 61 when the said base or support is being replaced.

The species shown in Fig. 1.2 shows the pipes 24 and 33 provided with any suitable rubber connections 65 which can be removed at will. In the species under consideration, the cap 40 thereof has a liquid tight packing between it and the top of the base or support it is associated with.

From the foregoing part of the specifica tion, it will be clearly understood that the means, such as the caps 40, 40 and 40" at the upper end of each base or support has no connection whatsoever with the outer casing 25, and it extends immediately over the central liquid passageway in said bases or supports and is relatively separable in respect thereto when the caps or covers 34 are removed with the exception of the cap 40. No liquid passage is formed in said means, and therefore I dispense entirely with'a liquid chamber above or beyond the upper or outer end of any of said bases or supports. In some species, for instance, Figs. 1. 7 and 12, the said means completely closes the upper end of the central passageway through each of the said supports, whereas in Figs. 4, 5, 10 and 13, the said means diverts the liquid laterally out of said central passages.

In Fig. 20 a modified form of the topmost section of the base or support 2 is shown. wherein the post 14 and flanged member 7 are integrally formed therewith.

In Fig. 13 spacing members 66 are shown to keep the base or support in this species of the invention spaced apart from the wall of the liquid chamber 38. These spacing members may be secured to either the wall of said liquid chamber or to the outside of said base Eli) heating element longitudinally on the base or support as shown clearly, torexample, in

Figs. 1, 7 and 10,1 may use a heating unit wherein the heating element or resistor is helically disposed thereon, and yet retain the ad vantages of an unfettered heating unit, and the absence ofa liquid chamber at the 6X- treme upper end of the heater.

In 2'1, the heating unit embraces a central core 70; The resistor or heatingele ment 11 is wound around said central core.

and then a tubular member 71 is slipped over the core 70 to retain theconvolutions of the resistor in place. This tubular .member'l'l slotted as shown ati'2 to permit the resistor or flieating'element to be wound around the outside of said tubular member. A tubular memher'TS is placed around the tubular member :7l. To hold the said central core and tubular memberstogether It utilize a cap 4:0 and a bottom plate? The cap 140' and the plate 'Tt are provided respectively with flanges 75 and 7 6, which fit around the upper and lower ends of the tubular member 7 l 1e parts just described of the heating unit are made of suitable insulating material, such as porcelain,and in order to tie the various parts described together, I locate in the central passageway of-the central core 70,'the tubular ,niember 5 which also passes through the cap 40 and the plate 74. Preferably removably carried by the lower and upper ends of said tubular member are rings or nuts 6 and 9.

Formed in thecap 40, are openings such as 15 of Fig. l, to permit the ends of the resistor or heating element to be passed through said cap and attached to the binding posts 16 which are supported by a post 1st. The constructionjust described provides a heating unit which can be readilyremovable since it not attached in any manner to the other parts of the heater.

Vithint-he tubular member 5 isthe tubular member 20 of Fig. 1, and this tubular member contains the conduit 22. The walls 28 and 29 of the liquid chamber in this species are connected at their lower ends by liquid tight joints with the plate 17 which is apertured to permit the flow of liquid into said liquid chamber.

It is self-evident from .what I havestatcd that I do not desire to be limited to any particular manner of associating any type of heating element'or resistor with'the baseor support.

Though I'have indicated that the liquid enters the heater through the pipes and couplings Q hjitwill he understood that the direction of flow of the jliquid'can be reversed without.departing from the spirit of my invention. In that case, the liquid in the conduit :22 flowing into the pipe couplings 24 :ing through the heater.

or support for a resistor, but since the liquid it is desired to heat flows at large therethrough at a speed substantially that of any other part of the liquid stream in the heater, this chamber isl-iept constantly flushed,,and

therefore no relatively volume-constant body :7

or" highly-heated fluid is available therein to be used as use it, and for this very reason my preferred form of heater, and certain modifications thereof, though as simple in construction as any other, possess the maximum of eiiiciency and are very economical in current consumption.

suming the quantity of current consumed is constant in all. species of theinvention disclosed, itis conceivable that the species shown in Figs. 1, 7 and 21, would be the most efficient. In all of these species, there is no outlet for liquid at the upper or outer end of the tubular bases or supports therein shown, and since the conduits 22 are shaped and preferably terminate as shown, the passage or" liquid therethrough does not flush the said bases or supports out, as would be the case were these conduits to terminate a short distancefro n the upper or outer closed ends of said bases or supports. Therefore the heat stored in the liquid or vapor within said tubular bases or supports will very "largely accelerate the heating of the liquid passing-through said conduits. This j. is an important feature of my invention.

VI here there;are openings or passages laterally from the bases or supports in certain ot the species shown, these openings orpassages are preferably'of a capacity that will not permit the liquid to passtoo rapidly from the interior of the saidbasesor supports But ofcourse thefiow of the liquid therethrough will be ample-to insure a steady flow of hot liquid through the outlet for the heater.

In this specification and the claims form- 'ingpart: thereof, the term volume-constant is used to mean that while there may be a change-in the state of the fluid (this will of course depend upon theteinp'erature thereof) within the chambered vcore or base, the said chamber will, in use, always be "filled with a fluid because of the common inlet-outlet opening which is preferably directly in communication with vtheruirrent of liquid pass- The term (relativelyuconfined is used herein to convey the idea of a body of fluid which while housed within a chamber having l lo a common inlet-outlet opening has communication with the current of liquid flowing through the heater by means of said common opening, but yet is incapable of freely entering into the cireulation'thereof.

The term confined stream means a stream of liquid passing through a conduit located in or passing through a chamber.

While I have specifically illustrated and described means to preferably utilize electrical energy as the source of heat (because it is safer and more widely available than gas), it must be understood that I may use gas as the source of heat, and that the utilization of any suitable means to generate heat from gas falls within the terms of my disclosure and of my claims.

Vhile I have described what I consider to be the best embodiments within my invention, it must be understood that the principle thereof may be embodied in still other forms, and I require not to be limited beyond the rnmdremcnts of the prior art and the terms of my claims.

hat I claim as my invention is:

1. A heating unit for an electric liquid heater removable from a working location without having to disconnect any part of the circuit therefor, comprising a non-conducting base or support having a longitudinal liquid passage therein; an external post at the upper end of said base or support; a resistor or heating element with which said base or support is provided, the same having both its terminals supported by said post for separable connection with an outside cou-e pling, and means at the end of said base or support, where said terminals are located, to prevent egress of liquid longitudinally thereoutof at the said end. I

2. A heating unit for an electric liquid heater removable from a working location without having to disconnect any part of the circuit therefor, comprising a non-conducting base or support adapted to permit liquid to flow therethrough; an external post at the upper end of said base or support; a resister or heating element associated with said base or support and having both its terminals supported by said post for separable connection with an outside coupling, and means, at the end of said base or support where said terminals are located, and separable in relation to said base or support and adapted to prevent issue from the interior thereof longitudinally thereof at the said end.

3. In an electric liquid heater, the combination with a casing having an inlet and an outlet for a liquid, of a complete heating unit lUlllOVllblQ therefrom without having to disconnect any part of the circuit therefor, comprising an unfettered non-conducting base or support adapted to permit liquid-entering said casing to flow therethrough; an external post laterally positioned at the extreme outer end of said base or support, a resistor or heating element associated with said base or support and having its terminals both at the same end thereof supported by said post for separable connection with an outside coupling, and external means, at the extreme outer end of said base or support where said terminals are located, to prevent egress of liquid longitudinally thereoutof.

i. In an electric liquid heater, in combination a longitudinal centrally chambered nonconducting base or support; a resistor or heating element associated with said base or support and having its terminals both at the same end thereof fastened externally thereof for separable connection with an outside coupling; means at the end of said base or support, where said terminals are located, to prevent egress of liquid longitudinally thereoutof at this end; an externally fed conduit located within the chamber of said support and of less capacity than said chamber; a liquid chamber surrounding said base or support and having an outlet, and a liquid chamber at the bottom of said heater communicating with said first-mentioned liquid chamher and into which one end only of said conduit immediately opens so as to avoid the flushing of the chamber of said support by liquid escaping rom said conduit.

5. I11 an electric liquid heater, in combination a longitudinal centrally chambered non-conducting base or support; an external post at the upper end of said base or support; a resistor or heating element associated with said base or support and having both its terminals supported by said post for separable connection with an outside coupling; means at the end of said base or support, Where said terminals are located, to prevent egress of liq-- uid longitudinally thereoutof at this end; an externally fed conduit located within the chamber of said support and of less capacity than said chamber; a liquid chamber surrounding said base or support and having an outlet, and a liquid chamber at the bottom of said heater communicating with said firstmentioned liquid chamber and into which one end only of said conduit immediately opens so as to avoid the flushing of the chamber of said support by liquid escaping from said conduit.

6. In an electric liquid heater, in combination a longitudinal centrally chambered nonconducting base or support; an external post F at the upper end of said baseor support; a resistor or heating element associated with said base or support and having both its terminals supported by said post for separable connection with an outside coupling; means at the end of said base or support, where said terminals are located, and separable in relation to said base or support, to prevent egress of liquid longitudinally thereoutof at this end; an externally fed conduit located within the chamber of said support and of less capacity than said chamber; a liquid chamber surrounding said base or support and having an outlet, and a liquid chamber at the bottom of said heater communicating with said firsta e at) mentioned liquid chamber and into which one end only of said conduit immediately opens so as to avoid the flushingo-fthe chamber of said support by liquid escaping from said conduit.

7. In an electric liquid-heater, in combination a liquid chamber provided with an ingress, and'passages through the top thereof; a non-conducting tubular base or support-removably resting upon said top and in communication with a central passage therein;

conduit fed from said ingress and located in said central passage and of less capacity than said centralpassage and having its outlet discharging immediately into said liquid chamber; a liquid chamber supported by the top of said firstenentioned liquid chamber andcom-1nu-nicating therewith and having an outlet, and within which said base or support is removably located; a resistor, or heating element associated with said base or supportand having its terminals both at the same end thereof fastened externally thereof for separable connection with an outside coupling, and means, at the endof said base or support Where said terminals are located, to prevent egress of liquid longitudinally thereoutof.

8. Inan electric liquid heater, in combination a liquid chamber provided with an ingress, and; passages through the topthereof; a non-conducting tubular base or support removably restinguponsaid top and in communication with a central passage therein; a conduit'fedfrom saidii-ngress and located in c said central passage and of less'capacity than said central passage and having its outlet discharging immedately into said liquid chamber; a liquid chamber supportediby the top of said iirst-mentioned liquid chamber and communicating therewith and having an outlet, and within which said base or support: is removabl'y located; an external post at the upper end-of said base or support; a resistor or heating element associated with said base or supportand having both its terminals supported by said post for separable connection with an outside coupling, and means, at the end of said base or support where said terminalsare located, to prevent egress of liquid longitudinally thereoutof'.

9. In an electric liquid l162lt81,l11 combination a liquid chamber provided with an ingress, and passages through the top thereof; a tubular member removably supported by said top in a central passage therein, and having a closedupper end; a tubular member rem ovably enclosing said first-n1entioned tubular member; a tubular non-conductingbase or support through which said second-mentioned tubular member passes, the ends of which latter project beyond the ends of said base or support; means whereby SfllClSGCOIltlmentioned tubular member is coupled to said base or support, so that said base or support and said second-mentioned tubular member less canaeit thanthe same and ha "in its 1 6 outlet discharging immediately into said liquid chamber, and another liquid chamber with in vvhich said base or support is removably located, communicating with said firstmemionedliquid chamber and providediwith an outlet.

10, In anelectric liquidheater. in combination, a non-conducting tubular base or support; a tubular member located within said base or support; and projecting beyond each end thereof; means carried by each end of said tubular memberwhereby' it is coupled to said base or support, and a post at one end of saidbase or support adapted to carry binding posts. V

11'. In an electric liquid heater, in combination, a sectional non-conducting tubular base or support; a tubular member located within said base orsupport, and projecting beyond each end thereof, the sections of said base or support: being externally longitudinally provided with spaced ribs, the opposing ends of the ribs of. adjacent sections being spaced apart, and the said sections beingindividuah ly axially movable to place their respective ribs out of alignment; means at each end of said tubular member to clamp'said sections in adjusted position, and a post at one end of saidbase or support adapted to; carry binding posts. r 7

12. In an electric liquid heater, in combination, a non-conducting tubular base or sup port made of a plurality of tubular sections, each section at one end being provided with an internal'fi ange, and at the other end with an external flange, the latter, when the sections are placed together,--enclosing the internal flanges, and each being'further externally providedwith longitudinal spaced-ribs; saidsections when placed together being independently rotatable to move their respective ribs out of alignment with the ribs of any other section; tubular means passing through said base or support to clamp said sections together, and a post at one end of said base or support adapted to carry binding posts.

13. In an electric liquid heater, a sectional non-conducting tubular base or support; spaced longitudinally-disposed external ribs carried by each of the said sections, the opposing ends of the ribs of adjacent sections being spaced apart, and the said sections being individually axially movable to place their respective ribs out of alignment With the ribs of the other sections; means internally located in said base or support to hold the said sections in relative relationship, and a flange at one end of said base or support and from which the ends of the ribs of the adjacent section are spaced, and a post carried by said flange adapted to carry binding posts.

14. In an electric liquid heater in combination two spaced cylindrical walls forming a tubular liquid chamber having a supply inlet, and an outlet; an unfettered tubular base or support removably resting within the space surrounded by the inner of said spaced walls, and having a common inlet-outlet opening only adjacent the supply inlet for said liquid chamber; means common to said liquid chamber and said tubular base to provide a supply of liquid therefor comprising a conduit extending into said tubular base and returning with its discharge end at the inletoutlet opening thereof, and of less capacity than the chamber in said base or support, and a resistor or heating element associated with said base or support and having its terminals both at the closed end thereof and fastened externally thereof for separable connection with an outside coupling.

15. In an electric liquid heater, in combination a base or support with a chamber having an inlet-outlet opening only; a resistor associated with said base; a conduit located within said chambered support and of less capacity than said chamber and arranged therein with its open end at said inlet-outlet opening so that liquid passing into and from the open end thereof will not flush said chamber, and means whereby liquid is passed into said chamber and through said conduit from a. common source, for the purpose specified.

16. In an electric liquid heater, in combination a base or support with a chamber having an inlet-outlet opening only; a resistor asso ciated with said base; a liquid chamber housing said base or support and having an outlet, and an externally-fed conduit located within said chambered support and of less capacity than same and having its discharge end which is the supply for said liquid chamber located at said inlet-outlet opening, to prevent a current of liquid flowing through the chamber in said base or support to flush same.

17. A heating unit for an electric liquid heater removable from a working location without having to disturb any part of the circuit therefor, comprising a non-conducting base or support adapted to permit liquid to flow therethrough; a post-provided member at one end of said base or support; a resistor or heating element associated with said base or support with its terminals coupled to said post, and means for coupling said post-provided member and said base or support together, thereby providing a heating unit all parts of which are firmly held together.

18. In an electric liquid heater, in combination a chambered base or support having one end closed; a heating element associated therewith; a liquid chamber, adapted to receive and discharge a liquid, housing said base or support, the chamber of which latter communicates therewith, and a conduit through which liquid flows housed within said base or support and of less capacity than same, and having its discharge end placed relative to the open end of the chamber therein so that liquid escaping from said discharge end will not flush the said chambered base or support leaving therein a substantially confined volumeconstant body of heated fluid, for the purpose specified.

19. In combination a non-conducting tubular base or support; a separable member at the outer end thereof laterally carrying a post, and means whereby said member is coupled directly to said base or support.

20. In an electric liquid heater the combination with a centrally-apertured doublewalled liquid chamber having an intake, the bottom of the inner wall being apertured and spaceo apart from the bottom of the outer wall, and a resistance-element-provided tubular base or support closed at the outer end and located in said central aperture and resting upon said inner bottom and in communication with the space separating said bottoms, of conduit means providing the supply for said liquid chamber located within said base or support and having its discharge end opening directly into said space separating said bottoms.

21. In an electric liquid heater, in combina tion a centrally-apertured liquid chamber having an outlet; a chamber to which said liquid chamber is coupled and from which it receives liquid; a tubular member, closed at one end, centrally carried by and communicating with said second-mentioned chamber and located in said central aperture; a feed conduit located within said tubular member and of less capacity than same and arranged therein with its discharge end located at the open end of said tubular member; and an unfettered tubular base or support encompassing said tubular member and resting within said central aperture, and a resistor or heating element associated with said base or support and having its terminals both at the closed end of said tubular member and fastened externally thereof for separable connection with an outside coupling.

EGERTON RYERSON CASE. 

